Organised Activism: Eko (formerly SumOfUs)

Eko is an activist group formerly known as SumOfUs. Their activism follows left-wing beliefs such as environmental protection, implementation of gun control, and preventing animal cruelty, more recently they have been involved in campaigning against arms sales to Israel. Their campaigns are largely focussed on pressurising corporations to adopt policies aligned to Eko’s left-wing beliefs, an up-to-date list of which can be found at: https://www.eko.org/campaigns/

Eko achieves its goals through mass peaceful action. It describes itself as a global community of ordinary people who want to make a difference in the world in which they live. The scale of their protests means that they can apply economic pressure through members consciously choosing where they will spend or invest their money.

The group utilises the internet to remain in contact with its supporters worldwide. Still, their approach overcomes one of the potential failings of social media-based protests, the flat structure and lack of organisation.  By having a permanent centralised management team who coordinate and project manage their activism, Eko can maintain their corporate direction, adapt their methods in line with technological or political changes, and source funds for multiple projects.

Eko Executive Director Emma Ruby-Sachs says of the organisation “We are a massive, global community that knows we have the power to change the world. And it doesn’t matter where each of us is on our journey with racism and oppression. If you believe that everyone has the right to live, breathe, and walk down the street, this space is for you.” (EKO, n.d.)

Their most recent news article exposes financial links that French insurance company AXA has to weapons manufacture and shipment to Israel, which AXA would probably want to keep quiet. It can be read here: https://www.eko.org/media/french-insurance-giant-axa-is-bankrolling-weapons-manufacturers-directly-facilitating-israels-genocide-in-gaza/

 

EKO, n.d. About Us [Viewed 19/10/2024]. Available from: https://www.eko.org/about/

FORWARD ACTION, n.d. SumOfUs [Viewed 19/10/2024]. Available from: https://forwardaction.uk/casestudy/sumofus-digital-optimisation-program/

INFLUENCE WATCH, n.d. SumofUs [Viewed 19/10/2024]. Available from: https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/sumofus/